Raymond Burr Hid a Deeply Personal Secret From the Public—But His 33-Year Relationship Revealed Another Side of His Life
Raymond Burr became a household name through his iconic roles in Perry Mason and Ironside. Yet behind his successful acting career, he kept much of his private life away from public view.
Over the years, Burr shared stories with reporters about wives and a son he claimed to have lost. Later biographies and accounts from people who knew him questioned these stories, and they are widely understood to have been fabricated.
According to biographers, Burr was gay at a time when openly discussing his sexuality could have put his Hollywood career at risk. He chose to keep this part of his life private.
In 1960, he met actor Robert Benevides while working on Perry Mason. The two developed a close relationship that lasted 33 years. Together, they managed an orchid business and a vineyard while keeping their personal lives largely out of the spotlight.
When Burr died in 1993 at age 76, he left his estate to Benevides, reflecting the significance of their long partnership.
Their story offers a glimpse into the pressures faced by LGBTQ+ people in an era when being open about their relationships could carry serious professional and personal consequences.
